In November of 2010, [[Tom Corbett]] voiced his support for the privatization of the 621 state liquor stores before he assumed his position as [[Governor of Pennsylvania]]. He joined [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives|State House]] [[Republican Party|Republicans]], including Turzai.<ref>[http://www.paindependent.com/todays_news/detail/privatization-of-state-liquor-stores-could-yield-2-billion "Privatization of State Liquor Stores Could Yield $2 Billion," ''PA Independent'', November 11, 2010]</ref>

In November of 2010, [[Tom Corbett]] voiced his support for the privatization of the 621 state liquor stores before he assumed his position as [[Governor of Pennsylvania]]. He joined [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives|State House]] [[Republican Party|Republicans]], including Turzai.<ref>[http://www.paindependent.com/todays_news/detail/privatization-of-state-liquor-stores-could-yield-2-billion "Privatization of State Liquor Stores Could Yield $2 Billion," ''PA Independent'', November 11, 2010]</ref>

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On March 5, 2013, Turzai introduced House Bill 790, and the bill was referred to the [[Liquor Control Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives|Liquor Control Committee]].<ref name="turzai">[http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3602177-74/liquor-state-stores#axzz2Mv8NlFGQ Brad Bumsted, ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'', "Turzai: House could get liquor privatization bill soon," March 5, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/BillInfo.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=790 Bill information Pennsylvania House Bill 790, accessed on March 7, 2013]</ref> This bill was the legislative form of Corbett's January 30, 2013, proposal to privatize the state-owned liquor stores and use the revenue to increasing funding for education. The governor's plan would see the state's liquor and wine stores auctioned off, while big box stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores would be able to sell limited quantities of beer and, in the case of big box stores and and supermarkets, wine. Restaurants, already able to sell beer, would be able to sell customers up to six bottles of wine, while retail beer distributors could obtain licenses to sell beer, wine, and liquor, instead of only beer. The auctions and licensing fees would generate an estimated $1 billion over four years. Under Corbett's plan, these funds would be distributed to school districts using a formula based on their student enrollment and income level. The block grants would fund "school safety; early learning; science, technology, engineering and mathematics course programming; and 'individual learning.'"<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/2013-02-01/news/36661900_1_liquor-privatization-case-or-keg-wine-and-liquor Angela Couloumbis and Rita Giordano, ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', "Corbett's new liquor privatization plan would benefit public schools," February 1, 2013]</ref> The Commonwealth Foundation, a pro-market think tank, commended Corbett for his privatization proposal. The Foundation noted in a January 30, 2013, press release that Pennsylvania loses tax revenue when residents go to other states to buy alcohol and that the government had spent $10 million to establish its own wine brand to compete against privately owned wineries. Polls showed most Pennsylvanians favored privatization.<ref>[http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/detail/liquor-proposal-delivers-convenience Commonwealth Foundation, "Liquor Proposal Delivers Convenience," January 30, 2013]</ref>

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On March 5, 2013, Turzai introduced House Bill 790, and the bill was referred to the [[Liquor Control Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives|Liquor Control Committee]].<ref name="turzai">[http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3602177-74/liquor-state-stores#axzz2Mv8NlFGQ Brad Bumsted, ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'', "Turzai: House could get liquor privatization bill soon," March 5, 2013]</ref><ref name="bill">[http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/BillInfo.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=790 Bill information Pennsylvania House Bill 790, accessed on March 7, 2013]</ref> This bill was the legislative form of Corbett's January 30, 2013, proposal to privatize the state-owned liquor stores and use the revenue to increasing funding for education. The governor's plan would see the state's liquor and wine stores auctioned off, while big box stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores would be able to sell limited quantities of beer and, in the case of big box stores and and supermarkets, wine. Restaurants, already able to sell beer, would be able to sell customers up to six bottles of wine, while retail beer distributors could obtain licenses to sell beer, wine, and liquor, instead of only beer. The auctions and licensing fees would generate an estimated $1 billion over four years. Under Corbett's plan, these funds would be distributed to school districts using a formula based on their student enrollment and income level. The block grants would fund "school safety; early learning; science, technology, engineering and mathematics course programming; and 'individual learning.'"<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/2013-02-01/news/36661900_1_liquor-privatization-case-or-keg-wine-and-liquor Angela Couloumbis and Rita Giordano, ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', "Corbett's new liquor privatization plan would benefit public schools," February 1, 2013]</ref> The Commonwealth Foundation, a pro-market think tank, commended Corbett for his privatization proposal. The Foundation noted in a January 30, 2013, press release that Pennsylvania loses tax revenue when residents go to other states to buy alcohol and that the government had spent $10 million to establish its own wine brand to compete against privately owned wineries. Polls showed most Pennsylvanians favored privatization.<ref>[http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/detail/liquor-proposal-delivers-convenience Commonwealth Foundation, "Liquor Proposal Delivers Convenience," January 30, 2013]</ref> After HB 790 was reported to the House by the Liquor Control Committee on March 18 and then by the [[Appropriations Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives|Appropriations Committee]] on March 21, the House passed the bill 105-90 on March 21.<ref name="bill"/> This amended version of the bill would privatize the wholesaling of wine and spirits within one year, require the government liquor stores in any given county to shut down within six months after the number of private stores double those of the government, and provide education credits and civil service hiring preferences to employees of the government stores.<ref>[http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/policyblog/detail/whats-in-new-liquor-liberty-bill Katrina Anderson, Commonwealth Foundation, "What's in New Liquor Liberty Bill?," March 18, 2013]</ref>

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Following its House passage, HB 790 was sent to the Senate. Pileggi reasserted his emphasis on "looking for ways to increase convenience, and selection at a competitive price" rather than privatization. He indicated that bill would be changed before passage in the Senate. Corbett refused to publicly comment on how he would approach negotiations with the Senate but reaffirmed his support for privatization.<ref>[http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/03/21/pa-house-approves-bill-to-privatize-states-system-of-wine-liquor-sales/ Tony Romeo, CBS Philly, "Pa. House Passes Liquor Store Privatization; Hurdles Loom In Senate," March 21, 2013]</ref>

Turzai earned his BA from the University of Notre Dame in 1981. He went on to receive his JD from Duke University in 1987.

After earning his law degree, Turzai began working as an attorney. He has worked for Houston Harbaugh since 1992. He is also currently Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County.

Turzai is former Vice President of the Bradford Woods Borough Council. In 2000, he served as a Representative at the Republican State Committee. He was then elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election on June 26, 2001. He has served in the Pennsylvania House since. He currently serves as Minority Whip.

On March 5, 2013, Turzai introduced House Bill 790, and the bill was referred to the Liquor Control Committee.[3][4] This bill was the legislative form of Corbett's January 30, 2013, proposal to privatize the state-owned liquor stores and use the revenue to increasing funding for education. The governor's plan would see the state's liquor and wine stores auctioned off, while big box stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores would be able to sell limited quantities of beer and, in the case of big box stores and and supermarkets, wine. Restaurants, already able to sell beer, would be able to sell customers up to six bottles of wine, while retail beer distributors could obtain licenses to sell beer, wine, and liquor, instead of only beer. The auctions and licensing fees would generate an estimated $1 billion over four years. Under Corbett's plan, these funds would be distributed to school districts using a formula based on their student enrollment and income level. The block grants would fund "school safety; early learning; science, technology, engineering and mathematics course programming; and 'individual learning.'"[5] The Commonwealth Foundation, a pro-market think tank, commended Corbett for his privatization proposal. The Foundation noted in a January 30, 2013, press release that Pennsylvania loses tax revenue when residents go to other states to buy alcohol and that the government had spent $10 million to establish its own wine brand to compete against privately owned wineries. Polls showed most Pennsylvanians favored privatization.[6] After HB 790 was reported to the House by the Liquor Control Committee on March 18 and then by the Appropriations Committee on March 21, the House passed the bill 105-90 on March 21.[4] This amended version of the bill would privatize the wholesaling of wine and spirits within one year, require the government liquor stores in any given county to shut down within six months after the number of private stores double those of the government, and provide education credits and civil service hiring preferences to employees of the government stores.[7]

Following its House passage, HB 790 was sent to the Senate. Pileggi reasserted his emphasis on "looking for ways to increase convenience, and selection at a competitive price" rather than privatization. He indicated that bill would be changed before passage in the Senate. Corbett refused to publicly comment on how he would approach negotiations with the Senate but reaffirmed his support for privatization.[8]

Elections

2012

Turzai ran in the 2012 election for Pennsylvania House District 28. Turzai ran unchallenged in the April 24 primary and was unchallenged in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.
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